WORKMEN'S LIEN BILL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3888, 17 August 1891, Page 2

WORKMEN'S LIEN BILL.

Novel Provision* Some rather novel provisions are embodied in the Workmen's Lien Bill, which was put up before the Hoase for the first time yesterday afternoon. It is not exactly the same as the Bill of last session, but is based upon one wbich was introduced intotbeQueensland Parliament by Sir Samuel Griffith. It proposes to give all contractors, sub contractors, and workmen, liens upon land and chattels upon which tbey are engaged, to the value of any work done by them. The lien of a workman is not to exceed 30 days' wages, and the total liability of the property owner in respect of all liens of the various classes is not, except in cases of fraud, to exceed the contract price agreed upon between himself and the original contractor. A subcontractor is to be entitled to a charge upon money payable to the superior contractor, and a workman to a charge npon money due to any contractor or sub-contractor by whom he may be employed. Mortgages are to have priority over liens if duly registered previous to the date of the contract under which the lien arises, unless the mortgagee is a party to the contract, in which case the lien will come first. Liens and charges for wagss will take precedence over those of sub-contractors, and the liens and charges of contractors will come next in order, but as between themselves all three classes are to rank equally. One of the quite new features is that, besides applying to building works, the Bill is to effect mines, quarries, excavations, and the erection of machinery. Yet employed in agricultural or pastoral pursuits a lien to the extent of six months' wages. If it accrues in respect to fencing or clearing land the lien is to attach to the land on which the work is done, and all land enjoyed with it. If the work done is the tending, driving, &c, of sheep or oattle, it is to attach to the live stock. Any such lien is to be enforced against a mortgagee as well as against thw owner. The measure has gone to the Labour Bills Committee. In dealing with it yesterday, Mr Guinness suggested that a clause ought to be inserted to the effect that if a workman on completion of his work did not receive the wages after two day's notice, he could continue to eharge the employer at the same rate until his acconnt was paid. —Post.